Shaw's Superlatives: Best perimeter defender in the 2023 class

With recruiting almost at a screeching halt, the never-ending search for content landed on the 2023 class. A senior class that saw 95 percent of its top 100 prospects sign during the early signing period. I wanted to dig deeper into the class and hand out some senior superlatives.

The 2023 On3 150

The high school season is only a couple of weeks old, so what should you be looking for? Over the next couple of days, I will go through the ‘best of’ in the senior class. Today we will talk about the most explosive player in high school basketball. Future superlatives going out will include the best rim protector, the best shooter, and more.

Best rebounder in the 2023 class
Most explosive player in the 2023 class

Aggressiveness

NBA Defensive Player of the Year Draymond Green said, “To play great defense, you have to be an intensely focused and aggressive player…”

As you go through talking about perimeter defense, there are different types. You have point-of-attack defenders, guys who guard the ball on an island. And you have off-the-ball defenders, team defenders who get in the passing lanes and understand rotations. Both of them are valuable in their own right, but I grouped them together for the purposes of this writing.

Many times defense is a reactionary part of basketball, but some players are naturally able to be the aggressors. Here is Shaw’s Superlative for best perimeter defender.

Five-star SF Justin Edwards (Kentucky)

Height/Weight: 6-7/185
High school: Philadelphia (PA) Imhotep Charter
On3 Consensus: No. 5

Justin Edwards is a long-armed, 6-foot-7 wing with a great frame and good athleticism; the physical tools are there. The Philadelphia native took a step forward over the past 12 months to become a lockdown-type defender. He can sit in a stance with good feet and quick hands guarding opposing guards and wings, and he really excels as an off-the-ball team defender.

Edwards showed this Summer he wanted to defend the opposing team’s best perimeter player. Whether that was guarding a forward like GG Jackson or Milan Momcilovic, a guard like Wesley Yates, or a wing like Mookie Cook or Mackenzie Mgbako, Edwards wanted the challenge. He also showed his ability to switch up and down a lineup and cause problems at each level of defense.

Edwards finished Nike’s EYBL Circuit top five in steals at 2.1 per game. The five-star wing’s primary man only scored 0.585 points per possession and shot 30.9 percent from the floor. Anticipation, physical tools, aggression, Edwards has a lot of the tools necessary to project positively moving forward.

Other top perimeter defenders

Four-star SF Taylor Bol-Bowen (Florida State)

Height/Weight: 6-9/195
High school: Wolfeboro (NH) Brewster Academy
On3 Consensus: No. 48

Four-star SF Coen Carr (Michigan State)

Height/Weight: 6-7/200
High school: Greenville (SC) Legacy Early College
On3 Consensus: No. 52

Four-star PG Silas Demary (Southern California)

Height/Weight: 6-5/185
High school: Lincolnton (NC) Combine Academy
On3 Consensus: No. 69

Four-star PG Bronny James (Undecided)

Height/Weight: 6-3/190
High school: Chatsworth (CA) Sierra Canyon
On3 Consensus: No. 41